Fremont Library temporarily closing for parking lot work
Mundelein's Fremont Public Library will be closed for four days starting Thursday while crews repave and re-stripe the parking lot.
The library, at 1170 N. Midlothian Road, is scheduled to reopen 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2. But that could change if it rains this week.
"Good weather is crucial, so if we experience heavy rains it is possible the closing could extend beyond those targeted dates," library Director Scott Davis said.
The library building and property, including the outside book drops, will be off-limits to the public during the work.
Due dates for items scheduled to be returned between Thursday and Sunday will be extended so no one is stuck with unfair late fees, Davis said.
The parking lot project began earlier this summer.
In addition to the resurfacing, the lot's subsurface has been reinforced in some areas, and extra drainage systems have been installed.
Underground heating equipment has been installed beneath the sidewalks at the front entrance to reduce slush and ice buildup in winter, too.
The work was supposed to be completed by Sept. 1. But a new sidewalk east of the main entrance had to be rebuilt because it wasn't constructed at the proper slope to accommodate people with disabilities, Davis said.
That sidewalk reconstruction nearly is complete, he said.
Officials have resealed and re-striped the lot through the years, but it hasn't been repaved since the library opened in 2001.
The project will cost the library district $512,400. The Accu-Paving Co. of Broadview is handling the job.
The library's full-time staff and some part-time employees will work during the public closure. Other part-time employees will return to duty when the library reopens, Davis said.